A tragic maritime disaster off the coast of Libya has left 42 migrants missing and presumed dead, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). The rubber vessel carrying 49 people capsized on November 3, just six hours after departing Zuwara, a northwestern Libyan coastal town.
Survivors and Rescue Efforts
Seven passengers survived the ordeal, drifting at sea for six days before being rescued on November 8 by a Libyan search and rescue team, the IOM confirmed. The passengers hailed from Sudan (29), Somalia (8), Cameroon (3), and Nigeria (2).
This latest incident adds to a grim toll in the central Mediterranean, where more than 1,000 migrants have died so far in 2025 while attempting to reach Europe, according to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project.
Urgent Calls for Safe Migration
The IOM emphasized that the disaster underscores the “urgent need for strengthened regional cooperation, expanded safe and regular migration pathways, and more effective search and rescue operations” to prevent further loss of life.
Experts note that Libya has long been a perilous transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Human rights abuses, including violence, detention, and extortion by Libyan authorities, have been widely documented.
Controversy Over Libya’s Coastguard
The shipwreck also highlights ongoing scrutiny of Libya’s coastguard, which has been accused of violence against migrants at sea. Between 2016 and September 2025, the coastguard reportedly carried out at least 60 violent maritime incidents, including shooting at migrant boats, abandoning people at sea, and obstructing rescue operations, according to the NGO Sea-Watch.
Last week, a coalition of 13 European search and rescue organizations suspended cooperation with Libya’s maritime rescue coordination center, citing alleged rights violations. The alliance described the coastguard as an “illegitimate actor” and accused it of operating as a “decentralized network of armed militias” trained and equipped with EU funds.
“We will not be coerced into communicating our operational position to EU-funded armed militias, shooting at people fleeing to safety and our rescue crews,” the alliance said.
Central Mediterranean: Europe’s Deadliest Migrant Route
The central Mediterranean route is the busiest corridor for irregular migration into the European Union. Between January and October 2025, more than 58,000 migrants attempted crossings, according to Frontex, the EU’s border agency.
Libya, hosting approximately 867,055 asylum seekers and refugees, has become a primary transit hub despite the risks. Reports from rights groups and UN agencies reveal systemic abuse of migrants, including torture, sexual violence, and extortion within the country.
Conclusion
The shipwreck off Zuwara underscores the deadly reality facing migrants attempting the central Mediterranean crossing. While international organizations call for safe and regular migration channels, abuses and dangerous conditions in Libya persist, making humanitarian interventions and systemic reforms crucial to saving lives.
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